Ringing of the Bell- Founders Day 2012

Illinois State has many traditions that make them different than other Universities. One of these traditions is the ringing of the Old Main Bell that is located on the quad on Founders Day in observance of the founding of Illinois State University. The Founders Day Ceremony was once held outside until the weather started to be uncooperative in 2007, that they then moved the ceremony indoors. The Old Main Bell couldn't be moved indoors so a replica was donated from the Mclean County Historical Society, so the tradition of ringing the bell could remain. This year the Founders Day Event was held in the Prairie Room in the Bone Student Center on Thursday, February 16th, 2012 at 10a.m. That day marked Illinois State University's 155th Birthday. Therefore 155 Faculty/Staff members, Alumni, and students were invited to ring the bell, along with President Al Bowman and First Lady Linda Bowman. I was honored to get a personal invite to be one of 155 members to be able to ring the bell. Being a bell ringer, I was required to be at the event at 9:45a.m. to sign in and get my placement card. I was bell ringer 33 and had to ring the bell 2 times. Each 155 members were told to either ring the bell 1 or 2 times. Each of us were also given a miniature white glass bell as a souvenir and to then come back to next year’s Founders Day Event to ring your glass bell. This event was open to the public so I was accompanied by my grandparents who came and supported me. The event started promptly at 10a.m. with an opening speech by the Vice President of University Advancement, Erin Minne. The former bell ringers from last year all came back and were appointed to ring the white glass bells they were given, which is the same bell I had received. So I now look forward to coming to Founders Day 2013 and ringing my white glass bell to welcome the bell ringers of 2013. We then watched an Illinois State Year in Review power point that summarized all the events that happened in 2011. Following the video President Al Bowman spoke on his thoughts regarding Founders Days. After his speech all 155 of us stood in line to walk up and have our turn to ring the Replica Old Main Bell. I was up there for no more than ten seconds to ring the bell twice and to get our picture taken but it was a very nice feeling to be able to share that moment with so many important individuals. Once the 155th individual rang the bell the ceremony was ended with a closing speech by Erin Minne. Founders Day is an all-day event that allowed you to go to a brief informal service of the ringing of The Old Main bell on the quad. I would recommend attending this event in the future. It gives you more of an appreciation for Illinois State and what the campus has to offer for every individual.